Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I enjoy fantasy occasionally, and I'm always looking for a new series to sink my teeth into. I had high hopes for this first book of a fantasy series. However, I found myself disappointed. As I started reading this book, something felt off and odd, and it took me a bit to puzzle out what was bothering me. I finally figured it out, though. The book feels like it is more telling than showing. There’s a writing adage that authors should “show rather than tell,” but this author misses the mark. When authors tell more than show, it puts an artificial distance between the reader and the characters and what happens in the book, and I found that to be the case here. The book appears to be aimed at the young adult fantasy reader, as the language is simple and straightforward. No problem there. Even though I am far past that age, I often enjoy books written for the YA audience. I don't let it deter me; I just love good books, no matter who they are written for. If only I could call this a good book! If the book description and the promise of a new fantasy series interests you, I suggest you read the Look Inside at Amazon to see if this writing style works for you. It didn't for me.